Wat Tha Ton is a sprawling complex in northern Thailand, situated on the Kok River, and right on the Burmese border, about an hour's drive from Chiang Rai. The Wat has been built on nine levels, but we had only time to visit the top two levels, which command a great view out over the river, the surrounding landscape, and over into nearby Burma. They are home to a massive Golden Buddha statue and the large modern Chedi Kæw.

Unusually the Chedi is hollow and is on three floors. The space inside is used as a kind of museum, with Buddha statues illustrating all major styles and countries. Unfortunately from a photographer's point-of-view the statues are placed with the light in the background, making them impossible to photograph, except in close up.

The museum also contains one of the most delightful statues I have seen, which is of the Buddha, Ven. Sariputta and Ven. Maha Moggallana in friendly embrace. Normally the iconography is Theravada is fixed, and only rarely do we see something that ventures onto a new interpretation.

The Chedi also contains a meditation hall, which has very good energy. The energy may have something to do with the fact that it is positioned beneath the Buddha relics, which are placed in the center on the top floor. At the back of the Chedi there is a also Chinese garden, with rearing dragons.